Having made the decision on Sunday that seemed inevitable to everyone in parting ways with Andre Villas Boas, Roman Abramovich now has to make an equally difficult decision. Abramovich faces a difficult task in persuading a manager to come to Stamford Bridge where the criteria of achieving immediate success to please the impatient Russian is almost impossible when attempting to succeed in Abramovich’s second task; phasing out the older generation of players currently decaying the atmosphere at Chelsea. None the less, a job a Chelsea Football Club is still an attractive proposition, given the money available, so where could Roman Abramovich now look?
Jose Mourinho: The charismatic ‘special one’ would undoubtedly prove to be a popular decision if he returned to the club he transformed so remarkably in the early days of Abramovich’s reign. Mourinho has since gone on to prove his worth elsewhere with success at Inter Milan and he is now on the verge of ending Barcelona’s stranglehold on La Liga. Mourinho has recently expressed his desire to return to England but perhaps a move to a different club may be more beneficial for both parties.
Unfortunately for Chelsea fans, the Portuguese manager had a frosty relationship with Abramovich due to the limited control Mourinho was allowed and secondly Mourinho’s track record for not sticking around at a club for too long is a contrast to what Chelsea need; they require a manager committed to a long partnership.
Pep Guardiola: The Barcelona manager is yet to commit to a new deal at the Nou Camp meaning he would be available without too much expense at the end of the season if he were to decide he wanted a new challenge. The Spaniard would provide Stamford Bridge with the type of football Abramovich craves and would be a well received arrival by the Chelsea faithful. However, Guardiola is still relatively new to football management and his only real challenge to date has been at his native Barcelona. Abramovich may therefore doubt the Spaniards ability to perform in new surroundings.
Fabio Capello: Despite the Italians recent dismissal from the England job, departing with his reputation in tatters, Fabio Capello boasts quite a record in club management. The Italian has achieved honors at Real Madrid and Juventus and would provide Chelsea with an experienced head to cope with the bulging egos and aging superstars at the Bridge. Capello’s salary could provide a problem in negotiations with Abramovich who will be keen not fork out on a new manager as he has done in the past with Andre Villas Boas and Carlo Ancelotti.
David Moyes: The Everton manager undoubtedly deserves a chance at a big club with financial backing but perhaps Chelsea isn’t an appropriate match. Moyes seems to exude tradition and would perhaps be better suited at a club with larger history – Manchester United for example. The Scotsman seems to have taken Everton as far as he can with virtually no funds at his disposal and would jump at the chance to enhance his reputation further and be able to realistically challenge for silverware. Moyes’ time will come but perhaps Chelsea would not be a wise move for the former Preston manager.
Roberto Di Matteo: The former player would provide an interesting choice on Stamford Bridge. Di Matteo had a great start to management which quickly subsided when he was embarrassingly and arguably harshly sacked from his post at West Bromwich Albion. The Italian has set out his teams to play pure football which will please Abromovich and every fan alike. The job however appears to have come a little too early for the inexperienced manager. Di Matteo has the chance though to prove his worth during the final months of the season.
Other managers have of course been linked with the post – Rafael Benitez and Sven Goran Eriksson – just a couple of names, but the above reflect the best available to Chelsea. A club of Chelsea’s stature should look no further than the best. So who are you rooting for?
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